Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1887-04-28
4 GLIMPSE OF BEAUYOIR
The Quiet Home of the Ex-Prcsident Of the
Confederaey.
Atlanta Constitution.

The Quiet Home of the Ex-Prcsident of the
Confederacy.
Atlanta Constitution.
Major John Elder, the we'll known artist
of Richmond, Va, has been the guest for
some days past of his friend, Major JOS
eph Van Holt Nash, of this city. Major
Elder has just returned from quite a
lengthy visit at the home of ex President
jefferson Davis, at Beauvoir, Mise, where
he was engaged in the work OF painting a
life-s sized portrait of tho noted soldier
and statesman. The portrait is the prop
erty of the state of Virginia, and is now in
the capitol at Richmond.
~ was the guest of the family at Beau
voir Just month" said Major Elder to
a Constitution representative, land a
most delightful month it was, / assure
you
"Besuvoir is delightful place. The
mansion is large, stately looking one, the
finest on the coast 1t is situated
about half mile from Beauvoir station,
but can not be seen from the railroad be-
cause of the trees which surround it. The
house contains many valuable paintings
and mementoes eff life fall OF stirring
events.
"The Davis family, as you know, con
sists of Mr., Davis Mrs. Davis, and their
charming daughter Miss Winnie 1t is a
happy household, where hospitality is
the prevailing spirit. Beauyoir is over
run with visitors. From all over the
South, North, East and West they come
and each finds kindly welcome awaiting
him. They find frall spare man whose
white hair and beard indicate the flight of
lime, but whose every move reflects the
strong resolute character of which this
country knows so much. This is the cen
trail figure of the household,
Mr.. DAVIS is wonderfully vigorous for
man of his years-he is almost eighty
and can outwalk me any day. l remem-
Der one evening | was airing my know
ledge of fencing by going through few
motions with cane Mr.. Davis took up
another, and it was not three minutes be-
fore he had disarmed me with the great
est ease.
ut is really wonderful to see how tho
people down there love him. He could
90 TO the United States senate any day if
be would but take the oath of allegiance.
| asked him why he didn't do it.
"Oh no." he answered, "I'm too old for
that sort of thing, and want nothing to
do with it now"
Mr.. Davis and / went down to New Or
leans one day. There he Is known by al
most everybody and it was next to i'm
possible to walk along tho streets, so
numerous were the greetings he received.
They were of all kinds. / was struck
with the emotion of an old fellow, who
said with tears in his eyes
"Oh, Uncle jeff, I'm powerful glad
to see you once more. I've hoped |
might see You. But l carry you with
me always"
with this he barred his forearm, and
there was Mr.. Davis portrait tatooed up
on the skin. NJ. Davis was visibly affect
ed, and giving the old fellow parting
blessing passed on.
"Mr. Davis is the most charming con
versationalist / ever knew. He can con
verse upon any subject, and is, in reality,
vast storehouse of information and
knowledge. Everybody is charmed with
him. His grandeur of manner, the
strength and force OF every motion, to-
gether with his genUeness and courtesy
impress everybody
"Mrs. Davis is a woman fit to be the
wife of such a man. Miss Winnie-well
il is hard 10 find words to describe her
She il the most remarkable woman /
know. Bright and intelligent, brilliant
conversatonalist i'll three or four differ
ent languages, using each with the great
est of ease, highly accomplished, and all
that, she is the sort of young lady who
would shine forth brilliant amid any sur
roundings. But what admire most is
her sunny disposition; always happy and
rngprful Shp groas shput tho bpusa what
ling and singing, carrying sunshine
everywhere, she is a wonderful girl, in
deed.
81 was like a member of the family for
a month, as 1 have said, and could
doubtless tell many things which would
be of interest to the public, but prefer
not to talk for publication. l will say,
however that if you can pay visit TO
Beauyoir you will find it one of the nost
pleasant episodes of Your life"